21746 messages,
Last post on May 21, 2013 at 7:38 PM
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Car Safety
#21300 of 21746 Re: Idea: let's take the "in" out of "inconsiderate" [gogogodzilla]
by backy
Jan 21, 2013 (10:30 am)
Now, I know that people will argue about the premise, that lights are more to get you noticed by other drivers.
I agree with that... to a point. Obviously if it's total darkness, there's two purposes for lights.
Jan 21, 2013 (10:35 am)
Really?
Traffic cameras remove judgement from enforcement.
For example, a cop might witness a situation where a car runs through an intersection that had just turned red. And also noticed that a semi was behind him, one foot from his bumper, and also ran the light.
Now, that cop will ticket the semi and let the car go, as he ran the light to avoid causing a collision. IE: the cop analyzed the situation and made a judgement call.
Traffic cameras do not do that. That car, in front of the semi, is a lawbreaker and will get a ticket. Which teaches to the driving public compliance with traffic law, NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCE. Which means that the driver of the car will stop the next time, resulting in an accident and possible loss of life.
This is just ONE example of various situations that require judgement calls by police... something traffic cameras cannot ever do.
#21302 of 21746 Re: . [gogogodzilla]
by euphonium
Jan 21, 2013 (11:00 am)
There should be "compliance with traffic law, NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCE."
Per your example - the semi is the proximate cause of the crash because the driver followed the car too close resulting in property damage & maybe physical injury.
IMO all semi vehicles should have a speed limit of 15 less than for cars because when they crash at higher speeds, they do more damage and the 53' box blocks all three lanes of the freeway.
#21303 of 21746 Re: . [euphonium]
by steve_ HOST
Jan 21, 2013 (11:27 am)
Well, in the example given, if the car had stopped short, the insurance company would have tried to deny the claim because the driver had the opportunity but failed to try to avoid an accident.
#21305 of 21746 Re: . [gogogodzilla]
by fintail
Jan 21, 2013 (4:14 pm)
I agree with your arguments. Maybe we can all just keep dash cameras in our cars to fight the bad light cameras then. I am about to run one in mine. I don't have a problem with some cameras per se, but the justification for them needs to be proven to the public, and the revenue streams can't go to crooked pseudo-private sector contractors who are really just parasites on the taxpayer.
I'd like to see the police do more work too, but I suspect the odds of that are low. Police unions make big labor unions look like schoolchildren.
Jan 21, 2013 (4:47 pm)
Out on city streets today, didn't see anything too bad, but some annoyances. First - had a Corolla behind me for a couple miles - I turned 7 times I think - it NEVER signaled once. Saw a suit in a 5er slowly cut across 3 lanes, no signal. Saw a WRX with a loud exhaust going too fast, tailgated a Forester, then had to slam on its brakes and have a close call as traffic slowed. And while out in the old car, had a well kept blonde in a MDX with a phone in her hand tailgating me at 5 over - until the limit went from 30 to 40, which then slowed her down
#21307 of 21746 Re: . [fintail]
by xrunner2
Jan 21, 2013 (6:24 pm)
And while out in the old car, had a well kept blonde in a MDX with a phone in her hand tailgating me at 5 over - until the limit went from 30 to 40, which then slowed her down
Ah yes. Beautiful and handsome people drive Acuras.
#21308 of 21746 Re: . [xrunner2]
by stickguy
Jan 21, 2013 (6:31 pm)
That is the primary reason I own 3 of them!
#21309 of 21746 Re: . [xrunner2]
by fintail
Jan 22, 2013 (12:11 pm)
Well kept isn't always beautiful...
Out this morning, I am thinking turn signals are a rarely ordered option on late model BMWs. Also saw a Rav4 with a hard spare tire cover and I think wind deflectors (which points to a certain demographic) stop for a green light, I don't know what that was about. And saw a younger woman in a red 2013 SL550 with a phone to her ear - should be a 5 figure fine for her.